Search form

search the site

Why not sign up to the NFTS newsletter.

"Entirely up to you Darling"

A celebratory Gala in honour of Lord Attenborough to launch the new Lord Attenborough NFTS Fund for young film-makers

Hollywood Director Steven Spielberg, actors Sir Ben Kingsley and Sir Michael Caine and Chelsea Vice Captain Frank Lampard are among the stars who paid tribute to one of Britain’s greatest actors and film Directors Lord (Richard) Attenborough at a National Film and Television School (NFTS) Gala held in his honour on Tuesday June 11.

The ‘Entirely Up To You, Darling’ Gala, named after his famous catchphrase, launched the new Lord Attenborough NFTS Charitable Fund, which aims to raise £1m over two years to enable talented young people to achieve their ambition as successful filmmakers through world class educational experiences.

Hosted by Stephen Fry, at Old Billingsgate, with honoured guests Sir Michael and Lady Caine, guests from the world of film and television were welcomed to the Gala by Lord Attenborough’s son the theatre director Michael Attenborough before speeches from Lord Puttnam and video link messages from Hollywood Director Steven Spielberg, actor Sir Ben Kingsley, Chelsea Vice Captain Frank Lampard and former Prime Minister (1990-97) Sir John Major.

Lord Attenborough has been a long-standing supporter of the NFTS over the past 41 years and remains its only President. He acted in or directed over 70 films including the Oscar-winning Gandhi, Cry Freedom, Chaplin, Oh! What a Lovely War, A Bridge Too Far, Shadowlands, Brighton Rock, I’m Alright Jack, 10 Rillington Place and Jurassic Park.

NFTS Director Nik Powell said: “We are deeply grateful to Lord Attenborough for the leadership he has provided and his tireless fundraising. This new Fund will ensure we can continue to deliver world class educational experiences to the best current and future film-makers.”

You can view the filmed tributes from Steven Spielberg, Frank Lampard and Sir John Major on our Screening Roomhere

To find out more about the Fund or to make a donation, please contact the NFTS Head of Development Dominique Cadiou, Tel: 01494 731426 or email DCadiou@nfts.co.uk